Smartphones don’t exactly come cheap, and most users expect their phone to last them about two years. Since even a short drop will almost certainly cause some unsightly cosmetic damage and potentially render a phone useless, it’s often wise to shield your smartphone with a protective case. Today, we’re taking a look at the most popular cases for our current top 5 phones.

HTC One X and the Cimo S-Line Case

The One X is a brand new device from HTC that has quickly risen to top of our charts. It’s currently available on AT&T and Sprint (as the EVO LTE), and it will be making its way to T-Mobile in the near future. For the time being, the One X is the most powerful, feature-packed phone on the market.

As an affordable flexible TPU case, the S-Line is thick enough to provide some impact protection but thin enough to avoid adding too much extra bulk to the phone. It comes in a handful of colors, including black, white, and translucent. As is common with most TPU cases, it will likely show some wear after a while; however, at its current price, you could easily buy a second.

Apple iPhone 4S and the Otterbox Defender Series

As the latest iteration from Apple, the iPhone 4S continues to defend its spot in the top 5. With its 3.5-inch display and large bezel, it’s starting to get left behind as the market shifts, but with a fast dual-core processor and Apple’s polished iOS, it’s still a favorite among consumers.

Otterbox is one of the most popular premium smartphone case manufacturers, and its Defender Series is certainly a favorite among iPhone users. It protects not only the rear of the iPhone’s fragile glass design, but also wraps around the front for additional protection. It retails for $50, which is quite a bit higher than most protective cases, but it’s possible to find it for as low as $20 fairly regularly. Just make sure to get the “new” design with larger cutout for the front facing camera.

Samsung Galaxy Note and the BoxWave DuoSuit

Samsungls Galaxy Note has been a surprising hit, successfully filling the niche between smartphone and tablet. Its 5-inch display makes it an adequate tablet-like multimedia device, but it’s not so big that it won’t fit in your pocket for everyday use. That plus its powerful dual-core processor makes it a great phone.

The BoxWave DuoSuit is a flexible TPU case that comes in an assortment of colors. Ultimately, it’s an affordable case that is thin enough not to add too much bulk – because, let’s face it, the Galaxy Note is big enough already.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Rearth Ringke Slim

As Google’s latest “Pure Android” device, the Galaxy Nexus is a favorite among Android enthusiasts. It’s sleek design, powerful performance, and perfect integration with Google’s products also make it a favorite among smartphone users in general.

In order to preserve the sleek, slim look of their Galaxy Nexus, many users choose to go without a case at all; however, it’s possible to get the best of both worlds with the Rinke Slim. Its slim design adds only about 1mm of extra thickness, and it clings closely to the phone itself, mimicking its sleek lines very well.

HTC One S and the Diztronic TPU Case

The HTC One S is the slightly more affordable alternative to the One X. It offers just about everything the One X does but with a smaller (more notably, lower resolution) display and marginally less powerful processor.

As a more budget friendly device, it’s not surprising that its most popular case is budget friendly as well. Available for around $10, the Diztronic TPU case is a no-frills case that will fit snuggly and keep your precious phone protected.